China surprised all forecasts and reported a shock tumble in the size of its trade surplus. According to official figures, the March surplus was 6.9 billion US dollars, down from 23.8 billion in February and well below the 20 billion forecast by analysts.
China's state media announced Wednesday the country's authorities are planning an overhaul of policies favouring the export sector in an effort to rein in its huge trade surplus and reduce tensions with major trading partners.
Chile could be one step closer to securing its energy supply if a new 800 million US dollars liquid natural gas (LNG) plant receives government approval. The Quintero plant (Region V) was initially designed with a capacity for 5.7 million cubic meter NLG, but has now been expanded to a 10 million cubic meters.
United States on Monday dramatically sharpened trade tensions with China by launching a wide-ranging World Trade Organization complaint over copyright piracy and claims that Beijing restricts the distribution of foreign music, films and books.
Four leading trade powers will meet Wednesday in New Delhi, India for two days of potentially make-or-break talks to end a deadlock in the Doha Round of global trade negotiations.
Six thousand of China's top industrial polluters will be under closer scrutiny by the country's top environmental watchdog. The list, published on the website of the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA), includes well-known companies and factories, reports China Daily.
The Greek captain of the cruise vessel Sea Diamond which sank last Friday, speaking on Sunday to government run Greek television denied responsibility for the incident and blamed strong sea currents for the disaster.
The captain of a Greek cruise ship that sank in the Aegean Sea was due to appear before a prosecutor on Saturday as coastguards continued to search for two missing French tourists, the Greek merchant marine ministry said.
A listing cruise ship carrying nearly 1,600 people was evacuated safely Thursday after it struck rocks and began taking on water off the Greek island of Santorini, authorities said.
Pope Benedict XVI bathed the feet of 12 laymen at a Rome basilica in a Holy Thursday tradition symbolizing humility, as he kept up an intense schedule of public ceremonies that will culminate on Easter.